Volvo Penta 4.3 GL won't crank

[trainradio]

I have a Volvo Penta 4.3 GL in my 1999 Glastron. It won't crank at all. No noise, no click, nothing. I've checked the neutral switch and the safety lanyard switch.

It's always started up and run quite well before. It did this briefly after we launched the boat yesterday and I was able to start it (I guess this helped) by jiggling the control handle. This was what led me to check the neutral switch. I tested it in the garage before heading out this morning and now nothing.

Any ideas?

thanks,
Steve Chambers

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Disconnect the neutral safety switch and connect the 2 wires together in order to test the system. See if it keeps working, if it does, you can bet the switch is either intermittant, loose and out of adjustment, or the connections are corroded.

 

[trainradio]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Disconnect the neutral safety switch and connect the 2 wires together in order to test the system. See if it keeps working, if it does, you can bet the switch is either intermittant, loose and out of adjustment, or the connections are corroded.

I tried this. No change. Dead as a doornail. When you turn the key to "start" the gauges, tach, etc. come to life, but that's it.

Steve Chambers

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Try this

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167035

 

[trainradio]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Thanks Don. This is getting me closer. I was able to start by monkeying around with the relay but I'm not sure what I did. There must be a bad connection. It won't start consistently. My relay is a different from the picture. 86 is the ground and it tests OK. 30 has voltage to ground all of the time. I think this is the way it's supposed to be. When it says connect A and B or A and C to make the engine crank, is that with relay installed? What would the symptoms be of a bad relay? I hope this makes sense.

thanks again,
Steve Chambers

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

When it says connect A and B or A and C to make the engine crank, is that with relay installed? What would the symptoms be of a bad relay?

I just went back and edited that post, you have to jump the socket, the relay wouldn't be attached to anything. Then just jump across terminals A and B to start the engine if the relay is bad.

 

[trainradio]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Ok, now I'm really confused. Why does the engine crank and start with the relay out of the socket, no jumpers, nothing?

Steve Chambers

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Why does the engine crank and start with the relay out of the socket, no jumpers, nothing?

Do you have the right relay removed???? Does your trim still work both directions?

 

[trainradio]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Ok, I have to admit I'm not sure I have the right relay. Where on the engine is the starting relay located?

Steve Chambers

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

What's the full model number, or Serial number of your engine. The year of your boat doesn't mean the engine is the same year.

 

[trainradio]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

4110186709.

By the way, pulled the relay again, trim works fine. Still cranks and starts. Now it's starting with the relay too. I have a feeling I'm headed to the boat dealer with this, but it sure will be frustrating if it starts every time for them.

Steve Chambers

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

If that is the SN off the engine, you have a 4.3L engine not a 3.0 ??????????

Are you sure you have a 4 cylinder engine?

 

[trainradio]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Oops. Yes, it's a 4.3 liter V-6. Sorry. I changed the title of my initial post. By the way, took a chance and took it the lake today. Started right up. We didn't shut off the engine, just in case. Still don't understand about the relay though.

thanks,
Steve Chambers

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

Re: Volvo Penta 3.0 GL won't crank

We didn't shut off the engine, just in case. Still don't understand about the relay though.

It's very simple. A 4.3 has 2 different relays. One for the starter and one for the electric fuel pump. (3.0L doesn't have an electric fuel pump)
The engine will still start and run for 15 to 30 seconds on the fuel in the carb, and you never removed the starter relay.

 

[trainradio]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3 GL won't crank

OK. Where is the starting relay located in the engine compartment?

Steve Chambers

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3 GL won't crank

Not sure exactly (without looking) but it may be right next to the fuel pump relay. If not, look around. There are only 2 on the engine, and 2 on the trim pump.